“Time is running out.” That from one of Aotearoa’s leading ecologists and environmental academics, Dr Colin Meurk ONZM.

Dr Meurk has written to MPs, iwi contacts, academics, and local Councillors, highlighting dire consequences of losing the last Government head offices to the North Island.

“In mid-March, Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will be amalgamated into three new Public Research Organisations (PROs) by early October. It’s clear that there’s lobbying to get the head offices located in the ‘golden triangle’ (Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton). This seems to be confirmed by an evasive answer to a recent question at Parliament during Scrutiny Week, related to where the headquarters will be,” he says.

The amalgamation of Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Plant & Food, Scion and AgResearch into the so-called Bioeconomy PRO, officially commences on July 1st. Currently, the head offices of Manaaki Whenua and AgResearch are located in Lincoln near Christchurch, but the CEOs of those organisations and other Government science advisors all reside in the North Island.

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“Removing our last head offices is just not on and would be a symbolic kick in the guts for the South Island,” says Dr Meurk. “Te Waipounamu is thriving and a key part of the national representation of bioscience and agriculture. Not having a head office here in the South will negatively affect our status, voice, career pathways, and importance as well as the strength and resilience of the overall sector, nationally, not to mention the administrative funding into the local economy which will be shredded from local offices of the new PRO.”

Dr Meurk says that it’s misguided for a Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Shane Reti, to state that the amalgamation is designed to “maximise the value of Government funding and drive economic growth”. Business as usual is almost certainly unfit for looming crises that will demand critical, multi-lensed, outside-the-square science and innovation.

“I see this as continued hollowing out of the South Island,” he says. “The south is experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity, yet government is failing to grasp the opportunities in our unique public research sector and leadership that is already well-established at Lincoln and the wider region. Climate and geo-tectonic risk, especially up north, demands government infrastructure be regionally spread; we must not put all our governance eggs in one basket.”

“Our Prime Minister is in China right now promoting Aotearoa as a place for students including agricultural students, to study. It seems totally counter-intuitive that the last head office here should be disconnected from the centre of New Zealand’s agricultural and tourism enterprise, and our affordable living,” says Meurk.

“I’m somewhat surprised that South Island leaders have not voiced more concern. Unless they stand up to be heard on this issue now, the government will get away with further undermining balanced and shared regional development that is resilient and supports meaningful, respectful nationhood,” he says.

Dr Meurk ONZM is standing in the 2025 local body elections for Environment Canterbury in Ōpuna – Christchurch West

Additional

Over the past 33 years, the South Island had at least two central Government Head Offices (HO) – for Crop & Food and Landcare Research CRIs. 

A decade or so ago, Crop & Food was amalgamated with Hort Research to form Plant & Food, and their head office was moved to Hamilton/Auckland. Meanwhile, AgResearch’s head office was moved to Lincoln. 

In mid-March the Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will amalgamate four Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) to form three new and more focused Public Research Organisations (PROs) in early October. Legislation to formally establish the PROs will follow in 2026. 

There are plans underway to locate the head office to Hamilton, likely supported by Plant & Food, the CEO of Landcare Research, the interim chief of the PRO, and Sir Peter Gluckman (key Science advisor to Government) who are all based in the North Island. 

“The cards are stacked to further hollow out the South unless concerted joint pressure is exerted by Councils and Iwi of the South.” Colin Meurk

References

South Island tops the table for economic growth

https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360613353/south-island-tops-table-economic-growth

Lincoln University 

This unique University has experienced significant growth in student numbers over the past few years. 

In 2025, Lincoln is ranked within the top 25% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings.  Specific numbers for qualifications conferred show a 22% increase in 2025, with 1,613 qualifications conferred compared to 1,320 in 2024.

In 2024, numbers exceeded 5,000 students for the first time. This was a 21% increase in student headcount in 2024 compared to 2023. The university's strong performance is attributed to a robust portfolio of relevant research.

Research Income:

External research income has increased, rising by 8% to $35 million. 

Factors Contributing to Growth:

Lincoln University's growth is linked to its focus on land-based and environmental subjects, strong industry connections, and high graduate employment rates, which are currently at 84%, according to The Press. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards has said that the strong growth signals Lincoln University’s increasing influence in shaping the future of the land-based sectors in Aotearoa and globally.

Canterbury University

In the top 1% of world universities. Student numbers approaching 25 000 and upsurge in overseas students.

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